I met Sian Hanlon last year when she was taking an art class in Growing Space at Nant Bran in Upper Cwmbran.
During our chat, she mentioned how she had written some books. She’s kindly answered some questions about her love of books and stories for this occasional feature in Cwmbran Life to put the spotlight on local writers. I’ve popped a link to her first book in the comments.
Q. What first sparked your love of writing, and how did you get started?
“I started writing my books after a vivid dream I had involving a talking armadillo and cat, this made me think that this idea could work as a book for children. It’s not the first book I have written. Pushed to the back of my cupboard is a spy novel which I have adapted to incorporate vampires.
“I have also started writing another adult novel called ”The Woman In The Woods’ which is a murder thriller. Despite these earlier written books, I have been drawn to children’s books, which is why I pursued the writing of ‘Walter, William and the Magic Moonstone’. This is book one of potentially eight volumes, fantasy quests with an unravelling storyline.”
Q. What are you working on now?
“I am currently working on book two , ‘Walter, William and the Emerald Acorn’.”
Q. Who is your favourite author and why?
“I don’t really have a favourite author, I like a variety of books because everyone writes and creates individual, wonderful books. It’s interesting to see how they have been written and the context.”
Q. What does your writing routine look like? Where do you write? What tools do you use (computer and software)?
“I can think of ideas for days when writing, then have a mental block. This can last for a while because the idea is there but I don’t quite know how I am going to write it correctly.
“Sometimes I get inspired by simple things I do or see, I recently been to Rome and got inspired in a botanical garden when seeing an unusual tree trunk. I am planning this for book six.
“Book one was handwritten in my nan’s old chair in my spare room. I then typed it onto my old Apple Mac computer which these days is very slow and not effective. All the drawings are hand-drawn by myself too and the original drawing of Walter the cat is the true features of Walter himself. Since doing book one I have not had chance to launch it yet, even though it is available to buy. I have been concentrating on whether to recreate it as AI imaging instead to keep up with current trends.
“I have just got myself a new computer and currently working on book two.
“Book one is currently for sale on Amazon’s Kindle store. and retails at £7.99. I have decided to set up a trust fund called ‘Walters Wish’, 50 pence from each book sold will be put into a charity account. I’m hoping this money can be used for worthy causes around the UK.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start writing but doesn’t know where to begin?
“Advice I would give to anyone who has an idea for a book is simple, just write it get it down on paper and let it evolve into something beautiful.”